Cyprus is using technology in its struggle to stem the spread of COVID-19 by launching an application to help people who don’t work from home to keep track of their contacts and locations visited, in case they contract the disease.

Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides on Friday welcomed the announcement by the banks’ association (ACB) that they would not charge compound interest on the deferred interest accrued from the suspension for nine months of loan installments.

The announcement by Fitch rating agency ranking Cyprus’ long-term rating as stable highlights the government’s responsible management both of the economy and the public finances under the present adverse conditions, the ministry of finance said on Saturday.

A consortium of IT, software and Fintech companies donate medical supplies and money to strengthen the preparedness of the Cyprus medical system to the threats posed by COVID-19.

The health ministry on Thursday announced 36 new coronavirus cases, and one new death, bringing the total to 356 in the government-controlled areas so far plus 10 deaths.

Up until March 31 the mortality rate associated with Covid-19 in Cyprus was less than one in 100,000 people, while the case fatality rate stood at 3%, according to epidemiological data released by the health ministry on Thursday.

Aradippou municipality has started testing residents for the coronavirus following an increase of confirmed cases in the area, mayor Evangelos Evangelides said on Friday.

Cyprus is able to produce agricultural produce in enough quantities to meet the needs and the demands of its population, Agriculture Minister Costa Kadis said on Thursday.

Over 7,000 application for loan instalment suspension have been submitted to the two biggest Cypriot banks so far following approval of a bill by parliament, it was reported on Thursday.

An Oslo-based company has formally applied to bring liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Cyprus starting in the first half of 2021.